Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-10-14
UNDERGROUND PARIS.
Trip Through the CataeombS of the French
Capital.

the Place DeufsrE kochereau at a quar-
ter TO one, and 20 come provided with
candles, says q Paris letter 10 the Proyi-
dence Journal. Promptly at the hour
our party arrived at the place, in the cen
ter of which stands the colossal lion OF
Barthoidi, erected "a Ia defense national"
There was already quite stir about the
entrance gates, as these visits occur only
on the first and third Saturdays of the
month, and the number of visitors is con-
sequently large. The scene became still
more animated, as fresh arrivals were
coming from all directions in voitures
and carriages, while the tramways deposit
ed their quota. The breaks with Cooks
tourists on board, made noisy Eruption
on the place, up with flourish of whips
and great clatter of their four and six
ln-hands. At the entrance the sellers of
candles were driving busy trade among
those who had not provided themselves
with the necessary.
Within the court groups of people were
scattered about; some stationed them
selves before the doors so as to be the
first to enter, while others, less eager,
were seated on the benches or sauntered
about. 1t was very evident that good
share of those present were our cOmpa-
'A'ObS' cOLuc Va SONAcCs d lew
Germans and now and then a native of
France, but America led the way in point
of numbers. Altogether there must have
been about four or five hundred visitors
on that day, and the uperintendent's re.
port might have made it even larger.
Some idea of the number could be form
ed from the fact that our party was about
two-thirds down the cue, it took, by com
parison of time, three quarters of an
hour from the gates to the entrance of
the circular staircase.
The barrier was removed little after
one, and all took their places in the line
which was Immediately formed. This
seems to be an Instructive act on the
part of Frenchmen, and there is no push
ing or crowding in any way.
By degrees the long line, lacking only
the proper garments to suggest a Peni-
tential procession of the middle ages,
moves on, ana we approach the entrance,
where the permit is given up and tbs
number in each party noted down by the
official. The count is again made at the
sortie. This was found necessary in or
der to avoid cases of accident but there
is now no danger, as the route is made
out, chains being placed across the inter
r
different sections. Still, some adventur-
Gus persons might escape the surveil-
lance of these guards. and attempt the
exploration of forbidden passages, so
that a general search is made after all
have passed out to prevent the possibility
of mistake. Covering so vast an extent,
1t would be the easiest matter in the
world to lose ones way, and when we re-
call the fact that these quarries tunnel
the greater portion of the city on the
left bank of the river, the reasons for
this strict surveillance are readily under
stood.
The broad, straight steps seem very
easy, and our predecessors appear to take
a much longer time than is necessary in
making the downward move. But we
are soon undeceived on turning the cor
ner, by finding ourselves at the top of
narrow spiral flight of steps. Step by
step we proceeded downward toward the
bowels Of the earth, the nauseating smoke
from the candles mingling with the damp
heavy air. At length we reach the bot
tom, nearly a hundred feet from the
surface. The flames of the candles APP
peared like will-o'-the-wisps as we hur-
ried along the, narrow passage, whose sides
were damp with moisture, and where the
floor, in parts, became slippery under our
feet. Following this gallery for con
siderable distance, We turned in the
Avenue MOntsouris, so called from its
neighbors above ground. And now there
is borne TO our ears wall as of the dam
ned. This gradually increases to a
mufhed roar as we approach, altogether
to suggestive of the close proximity of
wild beasts. Ihad been told of this
peculiar echo, and chose our place
down the line in consequence.
1t is only the varied express
sions of surprise, horror or dis
gust to which those arriving first upon
the scene give way, and which the long
gallery echoes back. At the entrance to
the ossuary, on either side of the arch,
are placed two Latin inscriptions with
the French translation underneath, and
which read somewhat after the fashion,:
Beyond these limits repose the bones of
those who await better life," and on the
left: pause! Here is the empire of
DEATH"
We pass the port and are within sight
of a luguburious spectacle. On either
side are piled up huge masses of bones as
high as the ceiling. Rows of grinning
skulls are placed in triple lines, while the
space between is filled in with the bones
of the arms aud legs, and with their ends
outward. Back of these are thrown in
discriminatory the various smaller bones,
such as ribs, vertebr@, etc. Through
these walls of stones we wandered on, ad-
miring, if such a word be admissible, the
ingenuity displayed in the arrangement
of various chapels, and the different de-
vices into which the bones are wrought.
We notice the stones placed in the pave
ment, marking the division lines, and the
tablets set in the sides, stating that such
and such came from the cemetery of the
Innocents. Here is the Tombeau ses
Viotimes, aud here the Tombeau del Rev
oluSion, with their various inscriptions.
We pass the altar where once year
mass is said for the purpose of the three
million souls whose bones are scattered
through this immense charnal-house. We
look into the well in which, sluggishly
moving about, are few blind fsh-of
what use would sight be in place where
darkness ever reigns? We do not lose our
way, for chains prevent deviating from
the path, and here and there is stationed
an agent to direct one if necessary, and
to guard against the theft of bones.
For even here relic hunters ply their
trade, and the printed request that WISH
tors should not take away bones is sup
plemented by watchful guardians.
And now we approach the point of exit,
leaving these horrible realities behind
and emerging into another gallery devoid
of such ugly sights. As we pass on we
hear behind us the rich, full voice of
young girl singing an air from familiar
OPERA just to try the underground effect.
At length we reach the foot of the spiral
staircase. The ascent is slow and tedious
and when we come to the surface there is
certain sense Of relief in breathing the
pure. fresh air. Then a comparison of
watches takes place, and to the surprise
of all it proves to be little over an
hour.
Quaint Sayings of Gambler
As doc" Martin, widely known gam
bier, is dying at his home in Cincinnati,
The Enquirer of that city narrates few
of his quaint sayings, as follows:
No more even-tempered person ever
lived than DOC" His originality is re-
markable. Yesterday, i'll though he was,